October 2008
Monthly Archive
E.Coli + sugar = fuel
Posted by admin on 31 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Biofuel
San Francisco start-up LS9 has genetically engineered E.coli to produce biodiesel.
In September, LS9 made headlines with the launch of a pilot plant in its hometown that turns out hundreds of gallons of the biodiesel a week. The plant mixes modified E. coli with sugarcane in large vats of water. The microbes metabolize the sugars and excrete fatty acids that have the same hydrocarbon configuration as petroleum. Unlike other biodiesel setups, LS9′s fuel is easy to collect — it floats to the top of the water and is skimmed off like cream from milk — and can go straight into your gas tank.
Florida to operate trains on biodiesel
Posted by admin on 31 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Biofuel
Florida is planning to convert 80% of its trains to run on 99% biodiesel.
Under the plan, South Florida’s Tri-Rail system is to operate 8 of its fleet of 10 locomotives on a 99 per cent blend of either soya or palm oil. The move has been hailed as an important step towards energy independence by the nation’s top transport regulator, the Federal Transit Administration.
Olive pits may be used for biofuel
Posted by admin on 30 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Biofuel
Spanish researchers are studying the possibility of using olive pits to make biofuel.
The olive stone, produced in processing of olive oil and table olives, makes up around a quarter of the total fruit. It is rich in polysaccharides that can be broken down into sugar and then fermented to produce ethanol.
“This research raises the possibility of using of olive stones, which would otherwise be wasted, in producing energy. In this way we can make use of the whole food crop,” said Mr Sánchez.
Cornell scientists study which northeastern grasses work best for biofuel
Posted by admin on 29 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Biofuel
Scientists at Cornell University are studying various grasses that grow in the northeastern United States to determine which are best to produce biofuel.
When the small plots and strip trial demonstration grass trials are harvested later this year, Mayton and her Cornell and private company collaborators will obtain data for both gasification (heat, power and liquid fuels) and cellulosic conversion technologies (biofuels and other byproducts) from the different types of grasses.
Arizona businessman builds a solar-powered motorcycle
Posted by admin on 28 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Solar
Jim Corning, owner of Flagstaff, Arizona’s Prometheus Systems, built a solar-powered motorcycle that can go as fast as 70 miles per hour.
Four solar panels can charge the lithium iron phosphate batteries for up to 50 miles a day. Corning has them as part of his solar system at home. The energy they harvest from the sun gets him to work every day.
Progress Energy to build large solar plant in western North Carolina
Posted by admin on 28 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Solar
Progress Energy announced that it will build one of the largest solar plants in the southeastern United States in Canton, North Carolina. The plant is expected to begin operations in the spring of 2009.
The project will utilize 3,288 photovoltaic panels installed on 7 acres to generate 1-megawatt of electricity for Progress Energy Carolinas (NYSE: PGN), which will add up to more than 1.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
ICP and Wal-Mart join to sell solar chargers
Posted by admin on 28 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Solar
ICP Solar Technologies, Inc. announced that Wal-Mart will sell its Coleman solar chargers across the United States in 2009.
ICP is expected to provide an estimated $1.0 million of these units for sale to Wal-Mart next year. The Wal-Mart agreement builds on an existing supply relationship and represents nearly double the sales anticipated for calendar 2008.
New Jersey uses landfills to generate energy
Posted by admin on 27 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Landfills in New Jersey are using methane to generate electricity for use in thousands of homes.
Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s Energy Master Plan for the state touts landfill methane gas as one of the key renewable energy sources that the state hopes will combine to supply 30 percent of New Jersey’s electricity consumption by 2020. According to the plan, New Jerseyans produce 6.7 pounds of trash per day, 50 percent more than the national average.
Scientists look at seaweed as potential biomass source
Posted by admin on 27 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Biomass
Scottish scientists are studying the feasibility of growing seaweed as a source of biomass.
“Given Scotland’s rugged western coastline and island groups, and relatively clean seas, it is sensible to examine the farming of seaweeds and sustainable harvesting of natural supplies as a source of energy, to heat our homes and fuel our vehicles.”
Tampa could become a major biofuel center
Posted by admin on 26 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Biofuel
With three biodiesel plants planned for Groveland, Florida by the end of 2009 and a $70 million plant to store and produce biofuels, Tampa is becoming a major biofuel center.
Yesterday, I told you about how Groveland is expanding its biodiesel production capabilities and hopes to rival Houston, Texas in terms of green fuel refining. Now, GreenHunter Energy Inc. of Houston might be building a $70 million facility to store and produce biofuels at the Port of Tampa and has paid $1 million to lease a 22-acre site.
